PM Samaras On Official Visit To China To Boost Greek Economy

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras departed to China yesterday, 15 May, accompanied by some 50 Greek entrepreneurs in an effort to lay the groundwork to draw future investments and seal deals in the tourism and agricultural sectors.

Also attending the trip are Greek Ministers Olga Kefalogianni (tourism), Konstantinos Mousouroulis (shipping) and Kostis Hatzidakis (transport).

According to press reports, the Greek PM is expected to sign a series of bilateral and business agreements in an aim to turn Greece into a gateway to Europe.

Mr. Samaras’ agenda of discussions in China will include issues of transport, energy, privatization, shipping and tourism.

Greek Prime Minister’s program

According to Athens News Agency, the Greek PM will meet today, Thursday, 16 May, in Beijing with Chinese Prime Minister Li Leqiang and later give a speech to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

On Friday 17 May,  Mr. Samaras will be received by China’s president Xi Jinping and afterwards meet with the chairman of the National People’s Congress of China, Zhang Dejiang. He will later give the keynote speech at the Hellenic-Chinese Business Forum.

On Saturday 28 May, the Greek premier will visit Hangzhou, where he will meet with the local governor and speak at the World Cultural Forum. Later in the day he will fly to Shanghai where he will hold talks with Shanghai mayor Yang Xiong and address a second business forum.

Business forums

According to the PM’s official program, the two business forums taking place on Friday and Saturday will focus on Greek entrepreneurship, Greek privatization and investments and China-Greece relations.

Speakers will include Union of Hellenic Chambers President Constantine Michalos, Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund President Stylianos Stavridis, Invest in Greece Agency CEO Stephanos Issaias and Hellenic Foreign Trade Board President Alkiviadis Kalambokis.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Shipping Minister Konstantinos Mousouroulis will give speeches at the second business forum in Shanghai on Saturday 18 May.